- Joined
- Oct 29, 2014
- Messages
- 357
I just face the first side. Then,I take 2 parallels of appropriate height,and hold them against the chuck face while pressing the side of the metal(the already faced side) against the parallels. I then tighten the chuck jaws enough to hold the work,tap the work snugly against the parallels with a dead blow hammer,and withdraw the parallels. Then,finish tightening the chuck jaws.
This only works with chucks in GOOD CONDITION. If your chuck has sprung jaws,or has sloppy fitting jaws,the workpiece can move out of place when you do the final jaw tightening.
The device just above is a good idea,better than using parallels (using parallels requires skill). If you can't use the parallels,it would be a good idea to make yourself such an outfit.
This method works very well. I will add just a note of caution. As always when working on a machine take your time and pay attention. I was doing some parts using the exact method outlined above when SWMBO came to the door just after I had set the part up in the chuck. I was distracted from my task long enough to forget to remove the parallels. I spooled up the lathe and all hell broke loose. Luckily I was not injured It did put a nice dent in the backsplash and took out 2 8' florescent tubes which made quite a mess to clean up. A scary episode for sure